Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra has introduced legislation expanding the minister’s authority over school boards, citing concerns about boards misusing public funds, shifting focus away from student achievement, and turning schools into “a political battle zone.”
Bill 33, called the “Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025,” would allow the minister to step in more quickly when there are concerns over a school board’s practices. Measures include directing an investigation or putting a school board under supervision, Calandra said at a May 29 press conference.
The minister said the province has seen school boards “wasting” resources on issues that divert focus from academic achievement, including what he described as “endless discussions” about changing school names. He cited one school board that spent more than $100,000 renaming three schools while dealing with potential teacher layoffs.
